Back to Sri Lanka with my family.
I have been in Canada now for 50 years but only went back to my birthplace, Sri Lanka once to help with the Tsunami relief efforts. My family has never been there. January 27, 2024, is the day when I am taking them all to trace the first 15 years of my life. We lived in three different areas of the island. Our trip is planned to visit the three areas. We will trace my birth through my teen years, my grandparent’s home, schools I attended and see some family that still live in my birthplace.
As they say that’s a wrap: by Brenden Rajah
Dad’s Tour of his home town was the most incredible experience a son and family could have asked for- when I say there was not one thing that went wrong on this trip I mean it. 16 days of fun filled stories, laughter and adventure. Let’s talk about the food (south Indian) – imagine eating your favorite food 3x a day for 15 days over looking some of the most beautiful views you have seen. Or drinking Ceylon tea with your mom and Sharing life or your wife and all that we have been through . The energy the smiles…
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Saturday, February 10th 2024 – Saying Goodbye
After 16 days of tracing my roots, visiting family and seeing the beauty of Sri Lanka we have started our 30 hour journey back home to Calgary and Vancouver The highlight today was on the 27th floor swimming pool with an ocean and city view. Thanks to all who were staying in touch.
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Friday, February 9th 2024 – Last Days in Sri Lanka
We spent the last two days In Colombo the capital of Sri Lanka. I remember walking along a huge lawn in front of the Galle Face Hotel where we would fly kites. At 12 I would dream of looking inside the hotel. The hotel was built in 1864 by the British, and the Royals stayed here. Seldom were locals welcome or able to afford it. After 50 years I was able to book rooms for all of us and stayed in this historical hotel. We shopped, celebrated Chloe’s birthday went for long walks along the lawn that stretches about one…
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Thursday, February 8th 2024 – Botanical Gardens
Our day began with a visit to a 68 acre botanical gardens established in 1864 by the British. I wanted my boys to experience a swim in the river. When I travelled on holidays my parents would stop and allow us to play in the river. We did that today complete with an authentic lunch by the river.
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The twins, school, Kandy and sights: by Brenden Rajah
The first stop we had was dad orginal home and his teacher Alfonso and the Priest- they had such great love for people and i saw why dad wanted to see them again It’s been a couple days as we have been on the move non-stop touring each area of Sri Lanka exploring the ocean, mountain side and cities Our next stop was dads beginning of grades 1-5 at Laklaphana Adventist College Dad and the group was met with the band and a special program Gorgeous campus and well kept- was a lovely tour and meaningful for the group Next…
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Wednesday, February 7th 2024 – Train ride to the hill country
I wanted my family to experience the many train trips I had made from Kandy. Finally Candi got to see Kandy. Our destination will take us to Nuwara Eliya by train. The stunning scenery of water falls, forests, villages and tea plantation are enjoyed on this trip. Brenden Rajah and Chloe were hanging out of the door. We are now in the hill country where tea is grown- Ceylon Tea is world famous.
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Tuesday, February 6th 2024 – Kandy & Lakpahana
Heading to the city of Kandy where I spent grades 1 to 4 the school where my mom and dad met, got married and taught. The Adventist school gave our family the foundation in many areas of our lives. A surprise welcome was planned I visited the house where we lived and the classrooms where my mom taught. Then we arrived in the city of Kandy- the temple of the tooth. A world famous temple where the Buddha’s tooth is kept and paraded once a year for a week around the city. The hotels and food we have stayed in…
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Monday, February 5th 2024 – Visiting my Grade School
Showing my family where I went to school in grade 5 and 6 and 9 and 10. 7 and 8 was in another town. In grade 9 and 10 I was in a boarding school in the town of Batticaloa in the east coast. Meet two very important people in my life. My biology teacher Mr. Alphonse Mary and his twin brother Father Joseph Mary. I was very happy to see them today and have my family walk in my footsteps with them. Showed them the Adventist church where my dad was Pastor and where I shared testimonies when I…
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Sunday, February 4th 2024 – Visiting the East Coast
Today we left for the east coast and arrived at the beautiful Amaya Beach resort. 50 years ago there were no resorts. Miles of unspoiled beach and nice resorts have been built. We came here to see my cousins and their families. They were all born after I left for Canada so first time meeting them. We had them over to the resort for dinner.
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Let’s climb to the top: by Brenden Rajah
Dad mentioned that he was 12 years old the last time he climbed the Rock- I was pretty nervous for my parents climbing to the top, 1200 steps and a 2km round trip up and down. This seemed like no easy task! Chloe and I made it to the top our legs burning and sweat dripping like It had just poured rain, no way were my parents going to be able to do this: Well did I ever forget how determined, hard working and adventurous they are- about 15 min later here they were smiling and laughing like it was…
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Saturday, February 3rd 2024 – The elephant in the room
An elephant in the room is better than one on the road. That’s how our day started off. I wanted the family to experience village life much like I had with my grandparents and aunts. Growing up we took the bullock cart as transportation from the train station to see my aunt. We then entered a village rowing a catamaran to learn cooking. We ate with them. Then took the more modern transportation of a Tuk Tuk to get back. Our biggest accomplishment was to climb the Sigiriya Rock to see the sunset. Once a fortress 1500 years ago and…
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Photos tell a story: by Brenden Rajah
Smiley Chloe (what a recovery story) Business man Dad Adventure Mom We are now in Sigirya and taking a moment to adventure- Enjoy Friends Eric Rajah Big Boss Man Family in the village Elephant ride Authentic food Stunning Views Temple in the cave Swimming Tuk Tuk Ride Boat ride Hike up Sigiriya Time to sit back and explore the beauty of Sri Lanka
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Friday, February 2nd 2024 – Sigiriya, Lion Rock
Our destination is Sigiriya – a world heritage site. The lion rock is where the king built his palace. On the way we stopped and did an elephant safari. Aliya resort lobby has a view of the rock. We will climb it tomorrow and see the ancient kingdom. The rock is on the right behind the pool. All my childhood food I ate is available here.
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Thursday, February 1st 2024 – 50 Year Reunion
Our day started with ocean volley ball at the northern tip of Sri Lanka. A sunset walk around the Jaffna Fort built by the Portuguese in 1504 it was fascinating. Our highlight was the dinner we hosted for 30 of my immediate family on my mother’s aside. We have not seen each other in 50 years. They also got to see my children and Candi.
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The Passenger Train: by Brenden Rajah
Greeted by his uncle and cousin you can see the smiles and the joy after 50 years of returning to his grandma house what this place meant to him: I was walking with dad and asked him at the Buddha temple where did you get your compassion and grace from? where you always like this? Dad said- “My Grandma taught me a lot, she cared for others when she had nothing and constantly helped others” she was my inspiration. It was so neat to see the place dad spent time with his cousins. To see where you slept at night,…
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Wednesday, January 31st 2024 – Jaffna
Once we got the monkey off our back we were on our way to Jaffna. The birthplace of my mother and where she lived. It was a time to introduce and meet our cousins and uncles we have not met. I drew water from the well that my grandmother and I used to draw from. She always prayed at that well facing the sun. The well is still full of water. We went to the Hindu temple where I often went with her.
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Tuesday, January 30th 2024 – Temple Visit
Today we explored the history of Buddhism and its arrival in Sri Lanka. We experienced many different foods and fruits. We have an excellent guide who goes everywhere with us and we also have a driver. So two people to look after us. They are both very good.
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Eric Rajah 